FREE SPIRITS XMAS MEETS - LONDON - 8th and 15th Dec!

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:57 am

Admin Comment:

Vote for the day of your preference above.
Post any days you CANNOT do below.
Post where you live/work, and which London station/area is easiest for you.
And anything else you think might be relevant...

Over to Graham....

I propose a drink for as many FS members as can make it.

For those of us in London we could use the Hamilton Hall.

Might it be possible though to pick another venue, say Reading, that we can get more people to? I might even suggest Basingstoke. On the M3, good rail links to London and the west.

I know a couple of establishments there (I worked there for some years) and there are some decent restaurants there now but we would have to book.

What do we think?

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:46 pm

Now you've picked the one day I can't do! Can't we make it the Friday (15th) instead????

Also, might I suggest somewhere around Paddington Basin as a venue, to allow those on the West of London to get in, whilst not being too bad to get to from East/Liverpool Street. (But failing that, the Hamilton Hall is a good place as any!)

JanetS · Post by **JanetS** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:09 pm

I'd love to be able to meet other FSs - can do 14th or 15th - term over so evening duties ceased (whoppee

), London/Reading/Basingstoke all equally good.

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:13 pm

Actually, might be better if everyone indicates:

the dates they can do: 14th/15th/(other if neither)
the location they're in

That way we can pick something mutually beneficial for all.

Let's try and get as many Spirits together as we can for this!

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:38 pm

Going to change the title of the thread to make it more appropriate...

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:07 pm

Mike, for those of us with families, a weekday is better than a Friday. My kids can't wait for me to get home to start the weekend and I'm sure it's because of me and not the fact that I usually buy chocolate and sometimes a DVD for them!

(My wife is not convinced that giving tired children chocolate at 7:30, i.e. an hout before bed time, is a great idea. She probably has a point).

If we can't make the 14th, I'd be tempted to go for the 11/12th or 18/19.

Is there some way of subjecting this to a vote?

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:32 pm

Converted to a vote now.

Take your point re: the kids, but you get the counter argument that people often find Friday nights better than any other for going out for various reasons.

We'll have to see what people go for!

Should be like trying to herd cats...

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:38 pm

Mike Channin wrote:Converted to a vote now.

Take your point re: the kids, but you get the counter argument that people often find Friday nights better than any other for going out for various reasons.

We'll have to see what people go for!

Should be like trying to herd cats...

ie,

Getting leathered and not having to worry about work the next day

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:43 pm

That was me voting for the 14th. Would prefer the Friday but just found out it's the better halfs Christmas Doo so I have the spuds that night. Dam and blast!!

So I can do pretty all the dates above other than the Friday. dam and double blast again

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:48 pm

I voted 15th - going out in the week is a bit of a stress as a teacher.

Thomas

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:53 pm

Teacher - stress?

Thomas, will you not be on holiday by then?

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:00 pm

Have voted for the 19th if the previous Thursday is not available.

Location - anywhere in London.

Can equally do Basingstoke/Winchester/Reading/Guildford area.

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:36 pm

webberg wrote:Teacher - stress?

Thomas, will you not be on holiday by then?

No, I don't work for a public school where all the work at weekends and evenings is recognised by breaking up in early December. I get 9 days off over the Christmas period - including the 3 bank holidays. I break up on the 21st and go back on the 4th.

Now, having worked in industry for nine years I am not going to complain about the holidays! 9 days over Christmas is great, and six weeks in the summer is even better

But I still think that I do as many hours of work in a 40 working week year now as I did when I only had 25 days of holiday. i.e. I work a lot in the evenings, start pretty early and often go home late!

The big difference is that this job feeds the soul - though in this term it doesn't feel like it much

Hence losing an evenings work + teaching after a late night with the after effects of a night out does not appeal.

I can do London - other places North of London are possible but I would be on the wagon. (No bad thing?)

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:00 pm

Thomas, no offence meant.

My wife works in a school and she finishes on the 20th and is back on the 4th.

She works long hours at home as well and she's the finance officer!

We bankers have it easy. 9 months of the easy life and 3 of 18 hour days. On average we do the hours but a very erratic pattern.

Perhaps we should include a lunchtime drink on the 22nd?

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:44 pm

What about the 8th???

Earlier in the month so hopefully less booked in people diaries

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:11 pm

webberg wrote:Thomas, no offence meant.

None taken. I still feel slightly guilty about feeling cross that I "only" get 9 days for Christmas...

JanetS · Post by **JanetS** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:12 pm

I voted for 15th, but could make any except 11th

Location: London, or anywhere west of

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:22 pm

How about a lunchtime meet after the schools have broken up?

Say 20th or 21st?

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:08 pm

webberg wrote:How about a lunchtime meet after the schools have broken up?

Say 20th or 21st?

Sadly, Friday 22nd is the first day of my holiday. And I don't think that my better half would appreciate me being away for the best part of the day on the first day I am due to be home. I would not be able to make a lunch time I am afraid.

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:03 pm

Morning everyone.

It's Gooner here, I've managed to sniff out an alcohol related thread. Definitely better at drinking than rowing. Apart from the 19th (Kasabian playing Earls Court and me and the daughter are attending) would love to meet up. Won't add to the woes of those arranging so whatever date you set I'll try and sneak out

mash · Post by **mash** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:45 pm

15th would be good for me.

I'll have to see if I can get a pass out from my social affairs manager.

If the venue is London I'll have to stay over somewhere.

Mash

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:12 pm

New suggestion.

As Jainser mentioned how about the 8th December.

Location will be announced later but near a rail terminus and in striking distance of some food.

Start time probably 6pm

Spamuel · Post by **Spamuel** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:40 pm

I can do any of those dates will try and get there if it's not too far from lovely Essex. Happy to give a lift to any other South Essex based members as I'm not a massive drinker.

My wife thinks the whole indoor rowing thing is mad enough, how am I going to explain I'm off for a Christmas party of a web forum. I may aswell say I'm having an affair, I'm not but how else does all this look?

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:06 pm

Spamuel.

Congratulations you have a new best friend. I am South Essex based (Abridge really close to Basildon). I am toilet trained and promise not to spill any of the kebab in your car.

My wife also thinks this rowing lark is stupid, insane etc so we have two things in common (three if you count you have a car and I like a drink)...............

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:13 pm

I too am Essex - NW Essex (the nice bit

). A bit far for you though.

As for the 8th, Fridays are good for me and I will try and make any date.

As we found before, I think we just need to pick a date and see who makes it. And it looks like Fridays are good. I'll try and get anywhere - though for public transport, London is the best bet for me.

FREE SPIRITS XMAS MEETS - LONDON - 8th and 15th Dec!

Which is best for you (London gathering):

FREE SPIRITS XMAS MEETS - LONDON - 8th and 15th Dec!

My wife will think I'm even Madder!